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Paper Birch Collective

Jul 299 min read

To Elope or Not: Pros and Cons To Consider for Your Big Day

Updated: Sep 26

Featured in The Knot, Wedding Wire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Basic Invite, WedAward, Maharani Weddings, Wedissimo, Style Me Pretty

The Elopement Decision: Advantages & Disadvantages - Is It Right For You?

Eloping can be a wonderful choice for many couples, but like any decision, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Today's blog will go over 5 pros and 5 cons of elopements vs a traditional wedding. See below!

Elopement newly wed portrait on the beach with groom holding bride at Laguna beach, shot by Paper Birch Collective Orange County Wedding Photographer and Videographer

Laguna Hills Courthouse Wedding & Newly Wed Photos at Victoria Beach

5 Pros of Eloping

1.) Intimacy

Elopements allow for a deeply personal and private ceremony. This unique type of small or micro-wedding provides the perfect opportunity for you and your partner to focus entirely on each other (especially without the distractions of a large crowd). This extra intimacy can also help with expressing your vows and pure emotions freely, making your special day a memorable and heartfelt experience that is solely about your love and commitment.

2) Less Stress

Traditional weddings often come with a long list of tasks and responsibilities, from coordinating with vendors to managing long guest lists. Elopements, on the other hand, typically involve fewer logistics and planning. With fewer logistics and planning involved, elopements can be much less stressful than traditional weddings and can allow you and your partner to enjoy your big day without the pressure of planning a grand event.

3) More Cost-Effective

As we all know, weddings can be expensive, with costs adding up quickly for venues, catering, decorations, and more. Elopements, however, are generally more budget-friendly, as they require fewer resources and fewer people. Plus, this financial flexibility allows you and your partner to save money for other priorities, like a dream honeymoon, home, or other future plans.

4) Flexibility

One of the best aspects of eloping is the freedom to choose a unique and meaningful location for your intimate ceremony. Whether it’s a scenic mountaintop, a serene beach, or a favorite city, you and your partner can pick a place that holds special significance to your love story. This flexibility also extends to the timing and style of your ceremony, which allows for a truly unique and personalized wedding experience.

5) Authenticity

Elopements enable you and your partner to design a wedding that genuinely reflects your unique personalities and relationship. Without the pressure to conform to traditional expectations or accommodate a large number of guests, you can create a day that is authentic to you and your partner. This extra authenticity often leads to a more meaningful and memorable wedding celebration!

Old Orange County Courthouse Elopement Wedding photo outside by Paper Birch Collective, Orange County Wedding Photographer

Romantic Old Orange County Courthouse Elopement

5 Cons of Eloping

1) Family/Friends Reactions

One of the potential downsides of eloping is the possible negative reactions from family and friends who may feel excluded from your celebration. Some loved ones might be hurt or feel left out that they were not included in the ceremony. It is important to consider this and communicate thoughtfully.

2) Limited Celebrations

Elopements often lack the large celebrations and parties that come with traditional weddings. For some couples, the absence of a big reception with dancing, toasts, and shared moments with friends and family might be a significant disadvantage. You might miss the feelings of communal joy and festivities that larger weddings bring, but eloping doesn't mean you can't have both! Your wedding, your rules! (Some couples like to elope in private, then have a separate reception to celebrate with their loved ones)

3) Less Support

Without a large group of friends and family present, you and your partner might miss out on the emotional support that comes with a traditional wedding. The presence of your special loved ones can provide comfort, encouragement, and shared happiness, which might be less in an elopement setting.

4) Legal and Logistical Challenges

Depending on your location, there could be legal requirements or logistical challenges to consider when eloping. This can include obtaining a marriage license, meeting residency requirements, or navigating the legalities of getting married in a foreign country. You and your partner must research and plan these aspects to ensure your marriage is legally recognized.

5) Fewer Photos and Memories

With fewer guests and festivities, there might be less opportunities for photos and memories compared to a traditional wedding. While elopements can still be beautifully documented, the range of moments captured might be more limited.

Newly weds after elopement at courthouse wedding photo shot by Paper Birch Collective, California Wedding Photographer and Videographer Team in Orange County

Our Final Thoughts on Elopements: Key Takeaways

Eloping offers a unique and intimate way for couples to celebrate their love by focusing solely on each other without the distractions of a big crowd. The reduced stress and logistical simplicity make the planning process much more manageable, while the cost-effectiveness allows for more savings.

Additionally, the flexibility to choose unique and meaningful locations creates a truly personalized and authentic celebration that can reflect the couple’s personalities and relationship.

However, it’s important to consider the potential challenges. Family and friends might feel excluded, leading to hurt feelings and possible strained relationships. The absence of a large celebration means missing out on the communal joy and festivities of a traditional wedding. Couples might also lack the emotional support that comes with having loved ones present. Furthermore, legal and logistical hurdles can arise, especially when marrying in a foreign location. Lastly, with fewer guests and events, there may be fewer opportunities for capturing a wide range of memories and photos.

Ultimately, the decision to elope is a deeply personal one, and you and your partner should weigh the pros and cons to determine what best suits your vision for your special day. Whether choosing an intimate elopement or a traditional wedding, the most important thing is that the celebration reflects the love and commitment you and your partner share.

An Intimate Elopement at Pasadena City Hall

Thanks for Reading 🤍

Thanks so much for checking out our blog! We really hope it was insightful and helpful for you. Always remember, your Wedding is a celebration of your unique love, laughter, and shared moments. Cherish each second and just let us capture the magic of your once in a lifetime memories. So, here’s to love, laughter, and happily ever after! Let’s make some memories!

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Let's Make Some Memories!

We are lucky to have captured so many special Wedding memories, from getting ready, to first looks, to ceremonies, and reception parties. To make your wedding planning easy, we offer a couple simple packages. Our packages come with unlimited photos during your event with no upcharge for any delivered images. All our images will be edited to reflect how your big day truly felt. Each package can be customized to your liking including more hours or a second shooter. If you are looking for an elopement package, we have that too! For any specific questions or requests, feel free to reach out and contact us and we will get back to you as soon as humanly possible! Let’s make some memories!

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